Strong Winds Warm Up Competition

Laser Masters World Championship 2005

Fortaleza, Brazil

On the fifth day of the Laser Masters World Championship, the strong winds of Fortaleza, with bursts of up to 33 knots, allowed the race committee to complete just one race. The conditions demanded larger physical effort from the sailors making the competition still more challenging.

In the Standard Class, the Australians Mark BETHWAITE (Grand-Master), Brett Beyer (Apprentice) and the New Zealander Murray THOM, (Master), continue to lead, but they admit that the regattas are more and more challenging. 'The waves were a great challenge today, but I could start well and maintain advantage from the beginning to the end. In spite of being leading the championship, I don't think can already commemorate the title. A lot of thing can still happen', Murray says.

In the Radial, Australia is also favourite with Peter HEYWOOD (Grand-Master) and Kerry WARAKER (Great-Grand-Master) who, in spite of not being victorious yesterday, maintain their first positions in the accumulated result of seven regattas. 'Today the work was very hard. Entering in the sea wans't crazy or brave, but it was very difficult', Kerry says. The New Zealander Mark ORAMS is still the first placed of Apprentice and the Russian Alexander NIKOLAEV continues ahead of Master. 'Today it was very difficult to win the regatta. But I imagine that it has been for everybody. I chose sailing more conservative and I didn't take a risk a lot. Maybe that strategy has helped myself to win one more regatta', declared Nikolaev.

Carlos Eduardo WANDERLEY continues in the leadership among the Brazilians, occupying the third position of the category Apprentice, in Radial Class. He is struggling to overcome their two stronger opponents. 'I started well and I made a constant regatta, staying during all the competition in third place. But in such windy conditions, the New Zealander was very fast and in all of the winds he is very good. Only in the end of the regatta I could approach more of the British sailor, who is in the second place, but it wasn't possible to pass him', explains WANDERLEY. Already among the women, Lyndall PATTERSON (Master/Radial), continues in first place with 24 points.

To qualify for the Laser Masters World, athletes must be over 35 years of age. The German sailor Hugo KROTH at 71 years old is the oldest of the World championship, is showing with his disposition, that the age is not a difficulty for the practice of the sport. On the contrary, he adores challenges. 'The more wind, more lively it is for me. It is necessary more force and I am prepared. There has been thirty years since I started sailing and until now I went by several challenges. The regattas of Fortaleza are certainly very difficult. However, I am not afraid. I am more thrilled although I need to pass for those difficulties. And I am happy when I get to complete the proofs', he says

The Master Championship continues until October 8. In total 182 athletes, of Standard and Radial classes, representing 25 countries have participated and in December, the World Laser Classe 2005 continues in Fortaleza with two more World championships: Radial Open & Women (from December 2 to 9) and Radial Youth (from December 10 to 17).

Racing contines today, tomorrow and Sunday before the 2005 World Champoins are crowned on Monday.